Q:
Dr. M
My husband is just starting a practice (just licensed in March) and I
am wondering what the answering machine should say when he is
with patients and is unable to answer the phone as well as when the
office is closed. Do you have a standard message? We are unable to
hire a person to answer phones at this time.
I am also putting together a letter to send with business cards to
friends & family to let them know that he is now practicing. We
don't want to look like we are begging for business. Do you have a
format that you like.
I just want to thank you for all your letters on your web page. I find
myself reading these & getting more motivated each time I read. You
are a big help. Thanks again.
A: Thanks for the e-mail. Unfortunately with new graduates so heavy
in debt that cutting corners to save often cuts their business throat.
For example .. not training a CA to do both PR and the front desk may
seem cost effective at first but costs you dearly in the short and
long run. I recommend hiring a part time CA at first .. at least .. but
have someone. First .. the practice cannot run efficiently in every
capacity .. gathering and maintaining new patients. It seems on the
surface that there are not enough new patients and cannot pay for a
CA but if they or you would have specific time set aside for office
growth and promotion this would change soon. I realize that this
answer may make little sense now .. but a new business takes time
to develop but it also needs a kick start to get going. So to answer
your question about what to say on an answering machine when your
husband is not available to get to the phone .. the answer is simple ..
you should have someone answer the phone. Okay .. but you can¼t so
why not place this on your machine .. by the way have two message
one per side so he can flip it when he is and is not available.
„Thank you for calling the Hobbs Family Chiropractic Center .. Dr.
Hobbs is unable to answer the phone but will shortly return your
call. Please leave a message at the tone.¾ .. or .. „Thank you for
calling the Hobbs Family Chiropractic Center .. our normal office
hours are äää Dr. Hobbs is unable to answer the phone but will
shortly return your call. Please leave a message at the tone.¾
As far as a letter writing campaign to family and friends .. better
concentrate on the total community. To rely on family and friends
for new patients is as successful as starting an insurance sales job
hoping you¼ll sign up your family and friends and explode from there
.. if just never happens and breeds resentment.
Listen .. what you both need to do is decide if this is your primary
business and the source of the bulk of your income. The potential to
fall on your face or be incredibly successful is even both ways .. the
difference really is how you both approach this game called building
a practice and most importantly sustaining it. As you will see ..
some friends who graduated with and before you were successful
from day one and others are floundering in associateships .. IC¼s or
just not making it. The common denominator for each category is the
individuals determination and planning. What steps were taken to
assure success .. how far and with how much determination were the
projects and ideas stimulated and followed through .. this is the
difference between those that make it easier than others. Just
remember one thing .. the general public has no idea of your grades ..
if you are a great speaker .. if you adjust like the best .. all the are
waiting for is for you to meet them in one capacity or another.
Forget about the few or many that will reject your message ..
instead concentrate on those that need to hear it.
With this .. I hope you have a Trip Tic towards building your new
practice. For starters .. you should have my Smart Start Book
available. This has all the scripts and planning you and your husband
needs .. and then we can go over pages for specific help.
Listen .. this is a great profession but it is in a sector called
Healthcare that is going through dramatic changes across all boards.
Rather than dwelling on what others are doing (bad idea) dwell on
the possibilities and potential of your marketing farm
Have a Great Day
Dr. M